New Album: The album that was Number 1 on the Billboard Album Charts a couple weeks ago was Arcade Fire’s newest one Reflektor. These Montreal-based Grammy darlings have said that on this album they were influenced by rara music from singer Regine Chassigne’s home country of Haiti. While rara vibes may be their intention, it doesn’t show up conspicuously on the album, as most of the songs sound like a cross between warmed-over 80s new wave and Vampire Weekend outtakes. All this fills a double album that is about two and a half to three times as long as an album should be.
The record’s forefront single, “Reflektor,” features guest vocals from none other than David Bowie, and was issued on 12” vinyl credited to the fictional band The Reflektors in September 2012. For a track that is over seven minutes long, it doesn’t have much reason to be, as it drags out a lot. When the hooks do hit, the synths and vocals just make it sound like a pastiche of 80s era Bowie mixed with other New Wave acts.
Some of the vocals and percussion on this album are swamped in echo, especially on the songs “Flashbulb Eyes” and “Awful Sound (Oh Eurydice),” which can be a little disorienting at times, because you’re not sure when the person is actually playing or if it’s just an echo. Also, opening for a classical Greek figure on a rock record (or casually greeting one as they do in the next song title “It’s Never Over (Hey Orpheus)”) reaches a new level of pretensiousness for this band, which is already kind of over the top. Also, the songs drag on forever, most of them ranging between five and 11 minutes, which in a pop-rock context is pretty overblown. While these guys remain critical darlings to much of the music press, they don’t have me swayed. Check it out, however, if you dig 80s New Wave or Arcade Fire’s earlier stuff.
What I’ve Been Listening To:
One album that I’ve been checking out this week is the 1987 album from the Cowboy Junkies The Trinity Sessions. What makes this collection of country covers and originals unique is that everything was recorded with one microphone straight to tape. Usually there are all sorts of mics used on every instrument in recordings and a layering of tracks. This is just a live performance in a church, and it sounds like you’re there. Check out “I Don’t Get It” and their cover of “Sweet Jane.”
Next is Nick Drake’s second album Bryter Layter. While I’ve already reviewed his album Pink Moon a few weeks ago, these two albums are rather different. Whereas Pink Moon is constituted of only acoustic guitar and voice, Bryter Layter hosts full bands, string and horn sections, and guest performances by members of the Beach Boys and Velvet Underground. Songs like “At the Chime of a City Clock” and “One of These Things First” explore themes of loneliness and regret like he would sing about on his subsequent album, but “Northern Sky” may just be one of the best love songs written in the last half-century. Give the whole thing a listen.
Finally, Stay Positive by the Hold Steady is one of my all-time favorites that I figured I would share. From the visceral pop-punk of “Constructive Summer” (such that at first listen it sounded like it belonged on Green Day’s Dookie) to the Springsteen-esque “Stay Positive” to the ballad “Lord, I’m Discouraged,” this is a band that’s on their A-game. Vocalist Craig Finn, guitarist Tad Kubler, and keyboardist Franz Nicolay all showcase their virtuosity on these tracks, making a band that sounds pretty good for looking like a bunch of accountants. Check out “Constructive Summer” and “Stay Positive.”
Local Music:
1. Come see (and maybe even play in) the Open Mic at the Pub in Amherst every Sunday night from 9pm-1am. Members from local bands Outer Stylie, Wolfman Conspiracy, and a Brotherhood of Thieves run the show and bring the Snowzee’s music tradition to Amherst, playing songs that vary from country, blues, rap, grunge and everywhere in between, it’s sure to be a fun party.
2. On November 30, afro-beat group Shokazoba will be playing at Bishop’s Lounge in Noho. With cool African drumming and a funk-influenced sound, come see what Hampshire missed when they cancelled their concert.